James Norwood scored a hat-trick as Forest Green beat Braintree to move third in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Norwood netted his first on the half-volley after Braintree failed to clear a Yan Klukowski corner and then found room to turn and fire low in the box.

The visitors closed the gap with Luke Daley's shot from outside the box and Klukowski scored with a close-range volley after a goalmouth scramble.

Norwood's treble and 14th goal of the season came from a looping header.

The striker came close to his fourth with a ambitious lob from the halfway line, but saw his shot go just wide of the left-hand post.

Forest Green, who close the gap on leaders Grimsby to five points, had early chances as Matty Taylor put the ball over and wide in the space of a minute.

Norwood, who signed a new contract on Monday, scored two goals in eight minutes before Taylor fired over for a second time.

Daley's strike shortly before the break reduced the arrears, but Klukowski netted eight minutes into the second half to regain the home side's two-goal advantage.

Forest Green goalkeeper Sam Russell saved point blank from Sean Marks, while Norwood netted again to complete his second hat-trick of the season.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Braintree Town manager Alan Devonshire told BBC Essex:

"They took their chances, we didn't. We started off slowly, gave away a goal from a corner, and then another sloppy goal away.

"We've got a great goal back to make it 2-1 and for 10 minutes of the second half we looked like we were going to equalise, we had a few good chances.

"Then the third goal has come from a free-kick that's looped in our box and we haven't dealt with it.

"The game's dead then. We've had a few chances but you can't give goals away, the way we gave them away."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Forest Green Rovers

  • 23 Russell
  • 02 Hodgkiss Booked
  • 03 Stokes
  • 05 Turley
  • 06 Bennett
  • 22 Green (Oshodi - 78' )
  • 08 Klukowski
  • 11 Forbes (Rowe - 88' )
  • 10 Vieira (Odubade - 81' )
  • 14 Taylor
  • 20 Norwood

Substitutes

  • 15 Oshodi
  • 16 Asafu-Adjaye
  • 19 Rowe
  • 25 Saul Williams
  • 27 Odubade

Braintree Town

  • 01 McDonald
  • 03 Habergham
  • 05 Paine (Symons - 63' )
  • 15 Massey
  • 19 Wells
  • 12 Daley
  • 17 Mulley Booked
  • 31 Aaron Wickham (Walker - 63' )
  • 02 Peters
  • 09 Marks
  • 20 Holman (Sparkes - 79' )

Substitutes

  • 22 Naisbitt
  • 28 Watts
  • 07 Symons
  • 11 Sparkes
  • 30 Walker
Ref: Bromley
Att: 918

Match Stats

Shots

15 12

On target

9 7

Corners

5 5

Fouls

15 7

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:12 Full time

Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.

90:00 +2:22

The assistant referee flags for offside against Matt Taylor. Indirect free kick taken by Nathan McDonald.

89:37

The ball is delivered by James Rowe, clearance by Daniel Sparkes.

88:59

Centre by Chris Stokes, James Mulley makes a clearance.

88:10

Centre by Sam Habergham.

87:30 Substitution

Substitution Kieron Forbes goes off and James Rowe comes on.

86:31

The ball is swung over by Sean Marks, blocked by Chris Stokes. Sam Habergham takes the inswinging corner, save by Sam Russell.

85:25

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Yan Klukowski, Eddie Oshodi takes a shot. Save by Nathan McDonald.

85:14

Centre by Eddie Oshodi, clearance by Alan Massey.

82:16

Corner taken left-footed by Sam Habergham from the right by-line, clearance made by Dale Bennett.

81:40

Dale Bennett gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Sean Marks. Free kick crossed left-footed by Daniel Sparkes from right channel, Jamie Turley makes a clearance.

80:57

Effort on goal by Sean Marks from just inside the area clears the bar.

79:52

Nathan McDonald takes the direct free kick.

79:52 Substitution

Substitution Magno Vieira leaves the field to be replaced by Yemi Odubade.

79:52

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ryan Peters by Matt Taylor.

78:37

Unfair challenge on Dean Wells by Magno Vieira results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Nathan McDonald.

78:55 Substitution

Substitution Dan Holman goes off and Daniel Sparkes comes on.

78:37

Foul by Magno Vieira on Dean Wells, free kick awarded. Nathan McDonald takes the free kick.

77:24 Substitution

Substitution (Forest Green) makes a substitution, with Eddie Oshodi coming on for Paul Green.

76:08

Unfair challenge on Dan Holman by Dale Bennett results in a free kick. Sam Habergham restarts play with the free kick.

75:06

The referee blows for offside. Direct free kick taken by Dean Wells.

74:55

James Norwood takes a shot. Nathan McDonald makes a save.

73:51

Yan Klukowski takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Alan Massey.

73:38

The ball is sent over by Matt Taylor, Dean Wells gets a block in.

73:11

Dan Holman takes a shot. Dale Bennett gets a block in.

70:12

A cross is delivered by Ryan Peters, Kieron Forbes makes a clearance. James Mulley takes a shot from just outside the penalty area which clears the crossbar.

69:36

The ball is delivered by Ryan Peters, Jamie Turley makes a clearance.

69:04

Unfair challenge on Sam Habergham by James Norwood results in a free kick. Sam Habergham restarts play with the free kick.

67:55

The ball is swung over by Dan Walker, Dan Holman takes a shot. Jamie Turley gets a block in. Nicky Symons produces a left-footed shot from long range which goes wide right of the target.

66:11

Sam Habergham produces a cross, Chris Stokes manages to make a clearance.

65:24

Luke Daley delivers the ball, clearance made by Yan Klukowski. James Norwood has an effort at goal from a long way out that misses to the right of the goal.

64:59

Unfair challenge on Luke Daley by Chris Stokes results in a free kick. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Luke Daley from right wing, Yan Klukowski makes a clearance.

63:49

Assist on the goal came from Yan Klukowski.

63:49 Goal scored

Goal - James Norwood - Forest Grn 4 - 1 Braintree James Norwood grabs a headed goal from inside the box. Forest Green 4-1 Braintree Town.

63:14

James Mulley gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Matt Taylor. The ball is crossed by Yan Klukowski,

62:17 Substitution

Substitution Aaron Wickham goes off and Dan Walker comes on.

62:01 Substitution

Substitution Nicky Symons joins the action as a substitute, replacing Matthew Paine.

60:57

Handball by Aaron Wickham. Sam Russell takes the direct free kick.

60:13

Shot from just outside the box by Yan Klukowski misses to the right of the goal.

60:03

Chris Stokes delivers the ball, Alan Massey manages to make a clearance.

59:38

A cross is delivered by Chris Stokes, Alan Massey manages to make a clearance.

57:39

Dan Holman has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

56:32

James Norwood gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Dean Wells. Matthew Paine takes the free kick.

55:21

The ball is crossed by Luke Daley, Dan Holman takes a shot. Sam Russell makes a save.

54:11

Dale Bennett gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Sean Marks. Luke Daley sends in a cross, Sean Marks takes a shot. Sam Russell makes a save.

52:34

Assist on the goal came from Paul Green.

52:34 Goal scored

Goal - Yan Klukowski - Forest Grn 3 - 1 Braintree Yan Klukowski gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Forest Green 3-1 Braintree Town.

52:32

Paul Green takes a shot. Save by Nathan McDonald.

51:52

Foul by Aaron Wickham on James Norwood, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Chris Stokes.

51:08

The ball is crossed by Luke Daley, Dale Bennett manages to make a clearance. Corner taken by Luke Daley from the right by-line to the near post, Dale Bennett manages to make a clearance.

50:11

The ball is sent over by Luke Daley, clearance by Chris Stokes. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Luke Daley, clearance made by Chris Stokes.

49:34

Luke Daley crosses the ball, Jared Hodgkiss makes a clearance. Luke Daley takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Dale Bennett makes a clearance.

45:16

Magno Vieira sends in a cross, clearance made by Dean Wells.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:00 +6:22 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

45:00 +3:32

The ball is swung over by James Mulley, Dale Bennett manages to make a clearance. Aaron Wickham takes a shot. Jamie Turley gets a block in.

45:00 +2:47

Sean Marks sends in a cross, Magno Vieira makes a clearance.

45:00 +2:02

Dan Holman produces a cross, save made by Sam Russell.

45:00 +0:03

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Luke Daley by James Norwood. Direct free kick taken by Nathan McDonald.

44:06

Dan Holman concedes a free kick for a foul on Dale Bennett. Sam Russell restarts play with the free kick.

43:42

Free kick awarded for a foul by Matt Taylor on Dean Wells. Direct free kick taken by Nathan McDonald.

41:51 Goal scored

Goal - Luke Daley - Forest Grn 2 - 1 Braintree A goal is scored by Luke Daley from outside the penalty area to the top left corner of the goal. Forest Green 2-1 Braintree Town.

38:06

Outswinging corner taken by Yan Klukowski.

34:12

Dan Holman gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Chris Stokes. Direct free kick taken by Sam Russell.

33:13

A cross is delivered by Jared Hodgkiss, Effort on goal by Matt Taylor from just inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

31:48

Matt Taylor gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Dean Wells. Nathan McDonald restarts play with the free kick.

30:27

James Mulley takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.

28:33

Shot by James Mulley. Blocked by Jamie Turley.

28:07

Free kick taken by Nathan McDonald.

28:07 Booking

Booking James Mulley is cautioned.

27:56

The assistant referee flags for offside against James Norwood.

27:32

The ball is swung over by Magno Vieira, save made by Nathan McDonald.

26:05

Chris Stokes provided the assist for the goal.

26:05 Goal scored

Goal - James Norwood - Forest Grn 2 - 0 Braintree A goal is scored by James Norwood from just outside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Forest Green 2-0 Braintree Town.

24:25

The ball is delivered by Sean Marks.

23:59

Chris Stokes takes a shot. Dean Wells gets a block in.

20:56

The referee blows for offside. Nathan McDonald restarts play with the free kick. Foul by Kieron Forbes on Luke Daley, free kick awarded. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Luke Daley, clearance by Jamie Turley.

20:29

Foul by Dean Wells on Matt Taylor, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Chris Stokes.

18:35

Yan Klukowski provided the assist for the goal.

18:35 Goal scored

Goal - James Norwood - Forest Grn 1 - 0 Braintree James Norwood scores a goal from inside the penalty box to the top left corner of the goal. Forest Green 1-0 Braintree Town.

18:08

Yan Klukowski takes the inswinging corner,

17:44

Outswinging corner taken by Yan Klukowski, Matthew Paine manages to make a clearance.

17:32

Centre by James Norwood, clearance made by Dean Wells.

16:41

The ball is swung over by Luke Daley, blocked by Chris Stokes.

16:10

The ball is sent over by Jared Hodgkiss, Matt Taylor takes a shot. Comfortable save by Nathan McDonald.

15:08

Effort from deep inside the area by Matt Taylor misses to the left of the goal.

14:30

Effort on goal by Matt Taylor from just inside the penalty area goes over the target.

13:05

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Matt Taylor by Dean Wells. Direct free kick taken by Chris Stokes.

12:36

Aaron Wickham sends in a cross.

12:21

Kieron Forbes gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Sean Marks. Matthew Paine restarts play with the free kick.

11:43

The ball is delivered by James Norwood, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Yan Klukowski misses to the left of the goal.

11:43

James Norwood delivers the ball, Headed effort from inside the penalty area by Yan Klukowski misses to the right of the target.

9:40

Dean Wells crosses the ball in from the free kick, Paul Green manages to make a clearance.

9:19

Jared Hodgkiss gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on James Mulley.

9:40

Matthew Paine restarts play with the free kick.

9:40 Booking

Booking Jared Hodgkiss shown a yellow card.

9:19

Jared Hodgkiss challenges James Mulley unfairly and gives away a free kick.

8:30

Matt Taylor is adjudged to have handled the ball. Free kick taken by Nathan McDonald.

7:15

Foul by Matthew Paine on Paul Green, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Sam Russell.

7:04

Sam Habergham delivers the ball, clearance by Dale Bennett.

6:36

The ball is delivered by Dan Holman, Dale Bennett makes a clearance.

6:20

Jared Hodgkiss crosses the ball, Matthew Paine manages to make a clearance.

5:58

The ball is sent over by Chris Stokes, Sam Habergham makes a clearance.

4:54

The ball is sent over by James Norwood, clearance by Sam Habergham.

3:59

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Matthew Paine by Yan Klukowski. Free kick taken by Nathan McDonald.

2:49

The ball is crossed by Paul Green, Alan Massey makes a clearance.

2:34

The ball is crossed by Jamie Turley, save by Nathan McDonald.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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